Morehead City/Atlantic Beach – May 2023
Rick, of Chasin’ Tails, reports that surf anglers fishing out around Fort Macon have been catching a mixed bag of gray trout, sea mullet, bluefish, and scattered red drum.
Inshore anglers have been finding some good action on both sea mullet and gray trout in areas such as the Turning Basin, and schools of bluefish have started to push into the inlets and are being found in the deeper channels.
There are plenty of red drum around, as they have now broken into smaller groups and scattered throughout the area.
There are still a few bonito around, but the best action continues to be the good numbers of spanish mackerel (to 2+ lbs.) located anywhere from the beaches out to three miles.
There have been a few random catches of blackfin tuna close to the beach, but for a true blackfin tuna bite, head offshore where anglers have been finding plenty of the larger class tuna (20+ lbs.).
A few wahoo are mixed in the offshore bite, and over the coming weeks, anglers anticipate the arrival of mahi.
Joe, of Carolina Traditions Guide Co., reports that Atlantic bonito, spanish mackerel, and bluefish are all schooled up in that 1-3 mile range off the beach. Anglers are doing best by targeting hard bottoms and reefs from the beach out to 60’. The less pressured areas are definitely seeing the better action.
Spanish mackerel fishing will only pick up as water temperatures warm up and clear water conditions start to show with more consistency.
The sea mullet and gray trout bite has been really good in the deeper inlet and port areas.
Inshore anglers have been focusing on bottom fishing around some of the hard structures for catches of black drum and sheepshead.
Red drum are just now starting to spread throughout the area. These reds will start to stay in more consistent areas as more bait moves in for them to ambush.
Hunter Penley, of Raleigh, NC, with an Atlantic bonito caught on a 2 oz. Stingsilver. He was fishing near Cape Lookout.
Daniel, of On Deck Fishing Charters, reports that nearshore action has seen the most changes, with spanish mackerel, Atlantic bonito, false albacore, and bluefish all being caught off the beach. Anglers have found success with the typical springtime tactics, from casting metals at breaking fish to trolling Clarkspoons or Yo-Zuri deep diver plugs.
The nearshore reefs are holding some nice gray trout for those doing some jigging.
Deeper holes both outside and inside the inlet are producing good-sized sea mullet for anglers fishing Sam’s Gitter rigs tipped with Fishbites.
Inshore, the red drum have started to become more active as they feed on the incoming bait schools of menhaden and mullet. Both topwater plugs and popping cork setups with Gulp baits will entice some strikes.
Chris, of Mount Maker Charters, reports that inshore trips are seeing some nice slot-sized red drum action while fishing the flats with both spoons and natural baits.
Anglers targeting the inshore bridges, jetties, and around the inlet are finding plenty of bottom fishing action with both jigs and smaller cut baits. A mixed bag of sea mullet, bluefish, and plenty of gray trout have made up the catches from these areas.
Nearshore trips are finding pretty good numbers of Atlantic bonito, spanish mackerel, and bluefish. Both trolling and sight-casting tactics are having success from the beachfronts out a couple miles.
The nearshore wrecks are holding schools of gray trout for anglers doing some jigging.
Bottom fishing further offshore has been a little hit or miss after the recent weather stirred up the water, but anglers can expect the action to pick right back up for triggerfish, vermilion snapper, grunts, and black sea bass.
Justin, of Breakday Charters, reports that nearshore action has been really good, with anglers now finding a mix of spanish mackerel, bluefish, false albacore, and Atlantic bonito. Both trolling and casting tactics are getting strikes depending on the day and water conditions.
There have been some of the smaller “schoolie” kings mixed in around the nearshore bait balls. Water temperatures still need to warm up some, though, before the bigger kings move in closer.
There are scattered mahi already moving into the area, and historically May has been when local anglers see the first good push.
Offshore bottom fishing has been going strong, with catches of black sea bass, big porgies, and vermilion snapper.
Inshore anglers are finding speckled trout, but there’s better action on red drum. The trout have mostly moved into some of the deeper areas. Red drum are breaking out into smaller groups and have spread out anywhere from the barrier islands back into the sounds and mainland river systems.
Kim Kane, of Morehead City, caught (and released) this 22″ red grouper offshore of Atlantic Beach. She was fishing with Capt. Byron Shults of Going Bogue Outdoors.
Byron, of Going Bogue Outdoors, reports that the influx of warmer water and eddies pushing up along the coast have brought a noticeable, and positive, change in the offshore fishing action. Both blackfin tuna and wahoo action has been really good, and there’s even some yellowfin tuna sprinkled in.
Bottom fishing remains strong for black sea bass, vermilion snapper, and triggerfish (when you find the bottom areas without too much current).
Grouper opens in May, and with anglers already releasing gags in April, it looks to be a good season.
Cody, of Reel Time Charters, reports that offshore anglers have seen a lot of really good tuna action, especially on the blackfins. There are some nice-sized (to 40 lbs.) yellowfin also starting to mix in.
The billfish bite won’t be far behind, with anglers already seeing some blue marlin in the spreads and landing some sailfish.
Mahi are showing up, and anglers headed out over the next month should find some of these nice-sized, early season fish.
Bottom fishing remains a great option for anglers looking to load up on black sea bass, vermilion snapper, triggerfish, and grouper.
Bri, of Oceanana Pier, reports that bottom fishing has been best. Recent catches have included black drum, sheepshead, sea mullet, and plenty of croakers.
Bluefish and spanish mackerel are also staring to mix in.
